Tag: Dax Milne

Panthers sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts on Monday

The Panthers have signed 10 players to reserve/future deals ahead of the 2025 season.

Even after closing out their 2024 campaign on a winning note yesterday, the Carolina Panthers still had a bit of work to do on their “Victory Monday.”

According to ESPN’s David Newton, the team signed 10 players to reserve/future deals this afternoon. Those players are as follows:

  • RB Emani Bailey
  • WR T.J. Luther
  • WR Dax Milne
  • TE Dominique Dafney
  • TE Jordan Matthews
  • G Ja’Tyre Carter
  • G Brandon Walton
  • C Andrew Raym
  • LB Kenny Dyson
  • LB Thomas Incoom

All 10 players have spent time on Carolina’s practice squad in 2024, with five receiving at least one appearance for the team during the regular season. Most recently, Dyson and Incoom both appeared in Sunday’s 44-38 victory over the Atlanta Falcons—with the former recording 23 total snaps and the latter 19 total snaps.

Reserve/future deals are essentially advance agreements, placing players in until the start of the new league year—when rosters expand back to 90 men. The players signed today will not count towards the current (and locked) 53-man roster.

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Panthers sign 2 players to practice squad on Wednesday

The Panthers restocked their practice squad with a couple of familiar names on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers restocked their practice squad this morning.

Wide receiver Dax Milne and linebacker Jackson Mitchell were officially signed to the group on Wednesday. Both have previously spent time on Carolina’s practice squad this season.

Milne was selected by the Washington Commanders (or the then-Washington Football Team) in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. He’d go on to serve primarily as a special teams weapon over his two seasons there, amassing a league-high 40 punt returns at an average of 7.8 yards per attempt in 2022.

Mitchell first joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent following this year’s draft. The University of Connecticut rookie will now enter his third stint with the organization, a day after signing with the United Football League’s Memphis Showboats.

The two will fill the spots left vacant by yesterday’s promotions of wide receiver Dan Chisena and linebacker Jacoby Windmon. Chisena and Windmon were signed to the active roster on Tuesday after the Panthers placed linebackers Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus on injured reserve.

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Panthers officially announce 2 additions on Tuesday

The Panthers officially announced their signings of WR/RB Velus Jones Jr. and WR Trenton Irwin.

The Carolina Panthers officially added a couple of wide receivers on Tuesday. (Well, maybe one wide receiver and one wide receiver/running back/return specialist.)

As announced this afternoon, the team has signed Velus Jones Jr. to their active roster and Trenton Irwin to their practice squad. Jones’ signing was first reported on by Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports while Irwin’s dropped via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Jones, a former third-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2022, comes over from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad. In his three seasons and 27 appearances for the Bears, the 27-year-old speedster amassed 135 receiving yards and 165 rushing yards while averaging 26.7 yards per kick return (39 attempts) and 7.0 yards per punt return (five attempts).

He now fills the roster spot left vacant by rookie running back Jonathon Brooks, who has been placed on injured reserve with his ACL tear.

Irwin, who previously crossed paths with current Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik during their time at Stanford University, has spent each of his six pro campaigns with the Cincinnati Bengals. He has recorded 46 receptions for 601 yards and five touchdowns.

To make room for Irwin on the practice squad, the Panthers released fellow wide receiver Dax Milne.

Carolina also signed defensive tackle Sam Roberts from their practice squad to the active roster. Defensive end DeShawn Williams, who appeared in 26 games for the team over the last two seasons, was waived to clear a spot for Roberts.

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Panthers sign former Commanders WR to practice squad

The Panthers added former seventh-round pick Dax Milne to their practice squad on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers filled the vacancy on their practice squad this morning.

As announced on Wednesday, the team has signed wide receiver Dax Milne. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder spent a pair of seasons (2021 and 2022) with the Washington Commanders.

A South Jordan, Utah native, Milne played his college ball at nearby Brigham Young University from 2018 to 2020. His final year as a Cougar would prove to be his best—as he led the Big 12 Conference in both receptions (70) and receiving yards (1,188) while scoring eight touchdowns.

Washington would then select Milne in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. He’d serve primarily as a special teams weapon, amassing a league-high 40 punt returns at an average of 7.8 yards per attempt in 2022.

Milne is now the second addition to Carolina’s practice squad in as many days. He joins tight end Stephen Sullivan, who officially returned to the team on Tuesday in place of inside linebacker Shaquille Quarterman.

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Commanders place WR Dax Milne on IR: Re-sign DE William Bradley-King

Could we see Jamison Crowder on Sunday?

The Washington Commanders placed third-year wide receiver Dax Milne on the reserve/injured list Friday and re-signed defensive end William Bradley-King.

Milne is dealing with a groin injury from the preseason. With Milne out, the Commanders still have six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. However, the Commanders recently re-signed former starting wideout Jamison Crowder to the practice squad. Washington could elevate Crowder for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals to serve as the punt returner. Undrafted rookie Kazmeir Allen is also an option, but Crowder appears more likely.

Bradley-King’s signing is interesting. A seventh-round pick in 2021, Bradley-King has gone between the active roster and practice squad in his first two NFL seasons. He was released during final cuts and re-signed again to the practice squad. Earlier this week, the Commanders released him from the practice squad.

What does Bradley-King’s re-signing mean for the status of Chase Young? We will likely know the answer later on Friday when head coach Ron Rivera speaks to the media.

Why the Commanders kept Dax Milne

Milne is back for a third season with Washington.

Commanders fans were very excited watching undrafted free-agent receiver Kazmeir Allen, yet the Commanders coaching staff and front office chose to keep Dax Milne.

There will be those scratching their heads, voicing disapproval, wanting to see Allen running back kicks in 2023 for the Commanders.

Well, if Allen clears waivers he most certainly will be brought back and assigned to the practice squad. The former UCLA Bruin has exhibited a quickness on a few returns that no doubt has caught the coaches’ eyes as well.

However, general manager Martin Mayhew already stated Tuesday regarding his receivers, “You know our top guys are really special. And we think there are some young guys who can develop behind those.”

Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are clearly the top four receivers.

Byron Pringle brings three years of experience with the Chiefs and one with the Bears to the equation. If injury occurs to one of the top four, Pringle would be called upon right away.

Mitchell Tinsley (Penn State) is a rookie whom the Commanders kept because he displayed more potential as an actual receiver than Milne and Allen. Washington did not want to expose Tinsley to waivers for fear he could very likely have been claimed.

Thus, the final receiver roster spot came down to Milne and Allen. Yes, Allen flashed more return potential than Milne in the preseason. But he also had two miscues in the final preseason game against Cincinnati.

Some will immediately respond, “But all Milne did last season was catch punts. He did not have breakaway ability.” Yes, you are correct; Milne did not display breakaway ability. Yet, you are also correct; he caught the ball. You can’t return the ball unless you initially field the ball.

The Commanders chose to go with Milne to field the punts for now. As for kickoffs? The NFL has absolutely ruined kickoffs, virtually eliminating them. They have so minimized kickoffs the Commanders may return very few kicks this season.

The Commanders will likely bring back Allen to the practice squad. They will have him learning more about the receiver position and give him lots of reps fielding Tress Way’s punting workouts during the season.

You may be upset for now, but hold on, you may see Allen returning punts in the Commanders future.

But for now, the wiser move was to go with Milne.

Undrafted wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to make Commanders’ initial 53-man roster

The Commanders keep the undrafted rookie wideout.

Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley was one of Washington’s priority signings after the 2023 NFL draft. Now, it looks like the undrafted rookie from Penn State will make the Commanders’ initial 53-man roster, according to John Keim of ESPN.

The competition for the final two — or three — wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster was competitive. Tinsley impressed throughout OTAs, training camp and the preseason. In the final preseason game against the Bengals, Tinsley caught three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

The Commanders did not want to take the chance of losing Tinsley via a waiver claim.

Earlier on Tuesday, Washington released fellow undrafted rookie wideout Kazmeir Allen. Allen has potential but is raw as a receiver and punt returner, and the Commanders would like to continue developing him on the practice squad.

While the final roster isn’t yet set, Dax Milne is also expected to make Washington’s roster for the third consecutive season. Veteran Byron Pringle is also expected to make Washington’s initial 53-man roster, which would mean seven wide receivers. Those numbers could change once cuts from all 32 teams are finalized.

WATCH: Mitchell Tinsley making his case for the Commanders’ 53-man roster

Mitchell Tinsley stated his case on Saturday evening.

Four wide receivers are guaranteed to make the Washington Commanders’ 53-man roster. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown are locks for the Commanders.

However, one of the biggest battles of the summer was for those final two wide receiver spots on the roster. Of course, Washington could keep three, but two appears more likely.

As training camp began last month, the Commanders signed veteran Byron Pringle. Pringle, who played for offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy with the Kansas City Chiefs, has looked comfortable all summer. He appears ahead of the field to be Washington’s No. 5 receiver.

As for No. 6, it’s a battle between undrafted rookies Kazmeir Allen and Mitchell Tinsley, Dax Milne and veteran Marcus Kemp. Kemp offers size, experience and special-teams’ prowess. Milne is entering his third season with Washington. The coaches like and trust him, and he can also return punts.

Finally, we have Tinsley and Allen. The undrafted rookies have both had a good summer.

In Washington’s preseason finale against the Cincinnati Bengals, it was Tinsley who made the most of final audition to make the 53-man roster.

First, there was this touchdown reception from Jacoby Brissett.

Then, there was this touchdown reception from Jake Fromm — only the officials ruled him down near the goal line. How? The Commanders would score on the next play.

In case you needed one more Tinsley highlight.

Has Tinsley done enough? Only head coach Ron Rivera and the coaching staff know the answer to that question. From all appearances, yes, he has, but we’ll all find out on Tuesday.

 

10 players on Commanders’ roster bubble heading into final preseason game

Which players head into Saturday’s preseason finale on the roster bubble?

Two preseason games are in the books, and NFL teams will wrap up the 2023 preseason this weekend. Following this weekend’s slate of games, teams will then turn their attention to making final roster cuts by next Tuesday, Aug. 29.

The Washington Commanders meet the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday to finish their preseason. It’s unknown if head coach Ron Rivera plans to play his starters, but if he does, it won’t be for long. Saturday’s preseason finale will be about those players on the roster bubble attempting to make one last impression for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Here are 10 players on the roster bubble with less than a week until cutdown day.

WATCH: Commanders WR Dax Milne makes one-handed catch

Dax Milne with the catch of the day Monday.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dax Milne is in his third training camp. And like the previous two years, the former seventh-round pick is battling for a roster spot.

The Commanders have four wide receivers guaranteed to make the roster: Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. Washington will keep at least six receivers, perhaps seven, meaning there are several players vying for what are likely two spots.

Milne is one of those players. Perhaps one thing in Milne’s favor is his experience as a punt returner. Whoever wins a roster spot will likely double as a returner. Milne didn’t exactly light it up as a punt returner last season, but he remains an option there.

But where Milne really helps his case is at receiver. He can play multiple positions and catches literally everything. During Monday’s practice, Milne came down with a beautiful one-handed along the sideline.

Check it down.

As it turns out, Milne was having some good-natured fun with the defense after the catch.

With two preseason games left, Milne, along with Byron Pringle, Marcus Kemp, Mitchell Tinsley and Kazmeir Allen, remains locked in a battle for those final wide receiver spots on Washington’s 53-man roster.